Groundhog Day marks its existence amongst the varied other events in the US. It is celebrated on February 2 in the US. As notified, it is known to be an event that coincides with the Candlemas.
When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day: Sunday, 02 February 2020
The US has a lot of occasions to observe and the most important of them is none other than Groundhog Day. This day is massively associated not only with nature and wildlife but also with the roots of history. Its tradition impressively dates back to 200 years and thus, it is considered to be very significant.
It is said that on this day, the groundhog pops out of its burrow to predict weather conditions. The day is celebrated as a traditional holiday in the US and thus, people get time to mark the presence of this occasion.
If the groundhog pops out of its burrow during cloudy weather, it means that the spring will come earlier during the year. However, on the other hand, if the weather is sunny and the groundhog can witness its shadow, it will go back to its burrow. Such an expression is the epitome of winter that is going to continue for the next six weeks.
How is Groundhog Day celebrated?
The day is celebrated by the majority of the regions in the US. Also, many areas in the US are known to have adopted the groundhogs. The most common of these is none other than the Punxsutawney Phil. It resides in Pennsylvania at Gobbler’s Knob. Due to this official groundhog’s presence, thousands of visitors visit this region every year, especially during the day i.e. on February 2. During this time, a good number of events and activities are held and this is the most common way of celebration.
There is a Punxsutawney Groundhog Club that is way too important during Groundhog Day. Here, several visitors and local reports assemble to see Phil as well as his prediction for weather conditions. As the confirmation goes, many weather researchers interrogate the weather predictions by a Groundhog. However, the groundhogs’ fans won’t agree to the same since they direly believe in the activity of predictions by the groundhogs.
About Punxsutawney Phil:
Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog that became a part of the day during the 1800s in the United States. This groundhog was given such a name by the very renowned King Philip. This groundhog was not that famous until the comedy movie of the same name came up in the year 1993. Bill Murray was the actor in that and this has led to such increased fame of the Punxsutawney Phil amongst the visitors.
Names of Groundhog Day in other languages:
- Korean: 그라운드호그 데이
- German: Murmeltiertag
- Hebrew: יום המרמיטה
- Norwegian: Groundhog Day
- Spanish: Día de la Marmota
Interesting facts:
Groundhog Day is way too interesting and it is because this day is associated with a good number of amusing facts. Have a look at them below:
- Some people also consider groundhog as a woodchuck.
- Groundhogs are known to be the notable members of the squirrel family.
- The first Groundhog Day was celebrated during the year 1886 in Punxsutawney.
- Groundhogs can swim as well as climb trees eminently.
- In Canada, the largest celebration of Groundhog Day is done in Ontario and Wiarton.
- The Groundhog Day was celebrated in Punxsutawney for the first time in 1886. Since that day, this occasion is continually being observed every year.
- There is an official groundhog in New York City too and that is the ‘Pothole Pete’.
conclusion
Officially the first-ever Groundhog Day was celebrated on February 2, 1887, at Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney. This celebration was a result of the genius mind of Clymer Freas who was known as the editor of a local newspaper at Punxsutawney. He started his trek to the notable Gobbler’s Knob where he saw the groundhog’s shadow. Nowadays, the local dignitaries wear hats and then are known to conduct notable proceedings in the dialect of Pennsylvania Dutch.